Carotenoids: From Plants to Food Industry

A mechanistic review on growing multiple therapeutic applications of lutein and its global market research

Lutein is a naturally occurring carotenoid synthesized by plants and algae that has a beneficial effect on several biological processes and associated ailments. Its immediate application is in ophthalmology, where it significantly lowers the incidences of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It also has anti-inflammatory action, treatment of diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts, and enhancement of visual contrast. To critically assess lutein biosynthesis, therapeutic applicability, and market research literature. We have discussed its theoretical frameworks, experimental evidence, limitations, as well as clinical trial results, and future research prospects. The literature for this review article was mined and compiled by collecting and analyzing articles from several databases, including ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, PubMed, Wiley Online Library, Patentscope, and ClinicalTrials.gov published until March 30, 2022. Patent publications were identified using the search terms like IC:(C07C67/56) AND EN_AB:(lutein) OR EN_TI:(lutein) OR EN_AB:(extraction) OR EN_TI:(process). According to the literature, lutein is an essential nutrient given that it cannot be synthesized in the human body and acts as an antioxidant, affecting AMD, diabetic retinopathy, Rheumatic diseases, inflammation, and cancer. Due to inadequate production and laborious extraction, lutein is expensive despite its high demand and applicability. Market research predicts a 6.3% compound annual growth rate for lutein by 2032. Optimizing lutein extraction for high yield and purity is necessary. Lutein has proven applicability in various ailments as well as cosmetics that can be developed as a candidate drug for various diseases discussed in the review.

Isomerization of carotenoids in photosynthesis and metabolic adaptation

In nature, carotenoids are present as trans- and cis-isomers. Various physical and chemical factors like light, heat, acids, catalytic agents, and photosensitizers can contribute to the isomerization of carotenoids. Living organisms in the process of evolution have developed different mechanisms of adaptation to light stress, which can also involve isomeric forms of carotenoids. Particularly, light stress conditions can enhance isomerization processes. The purpose of this work is to review the recent studies on cis/trans isomerization of carotenoids as well as the role of carotenoid isomers for the light capture, energy transfer, photoprotection in light-harvesting complexes, and reaction centers of the photosynthetic apparatus of plants and other photosynthetic organisms. The review also presents recent studies of carotenoid isomers for the biomedical aspects, showing cis- and trans-isomers differ in bioavailability, antioxidant activity and biological activity, which can be used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.

The Pangenome of Gram-Negative Environmental Bacteria Hides a Promising Biotechnological Potential

Secondary metabolites (SMs) from environmental bacteria offer viable solutions for various health and environmental challenges. Researchers are employing advanced bioinformatic tools to investigate less-explored microorganisms and unearth novel bioactive compounds. In this research area, our understanding of SMs from environmental Gram-negative bacteria lags behind that of its Gram-positive counterparts. In this regard, Pedobacter spp. have recently gained attention, not only for their role as plant growth promoters but also for their potential in producing antimicrobials. This study focuses on the genomic analysis of Pedobacter spp. to unveil the diversity of the SMs encoded in their genomes. Among the 41 genomes analyzed, a total of 233 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) were identified, revealing the potential for the production of diverse SMs, including RiPPs (27%), terpenes (22%), hybrid SMs (17%), PKs (12%), NRPs (9%) and siderophores (6%). Overall, BGC distribution did not correlate with phylogenetic lineage and most of the BGCs showed no significant hits in the MIBiG database, emphasizing the uniqueness of the compounds that Pedobacter spp. can produce. Of all the species examined, P. cryoconitis and P. lusitanus stood out for having the highest number and diversity of BGCs. Focusing on their applicability and ecological functions, we investigated in greater detail the BGCs responsible for siderophore and terpenoid production in these species and their relatives. Our findings suggest that P. cryoconitis and P. lusitanus have the potential to produce novel mixtures of siderophores, involving bifunctional IucAC/AcD NIS synthetases, as well as carotenoids and squalene. This study highlights the biotechnological potential of Pedobacter spp. in medicine, agriculture and other industries, emphasizing the need for a continued exploration of its SMs and their applications.

Lycopene from Red Guava (Psidium guajava L.): From Hepatoprotective Effect to Its Use as Promising Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery System for Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Applications

Lycopene is a carotenoid with potential use in the treatment of chronic illnesses. Here, different formulations of lycopene were studied: lycopene-rich extract from red guava (LEG), purified lycopene from red guava (LPG) and a self-emulsifying drug delivery system loaded with LPG (nanoLPG). The effects of administering orally various doses of LEG to hypercholesterolemic hamsters were evaluated regarding the liver function of the animals. The cytotoxicity of LPG in Vero cells was analyzed by a crystal violet assay and by fluorescence microscopy. In addition, nanoLPG was employed in stability tests. LPG and nanoLPG were tested for their cytotoxic effect on human keratinocytes and antioxidant capacity on cells in an endothelial dysfunction model in an isolated rat aorta. Finally, the effect of different nanoLPG concentrations on the expression of immune-related genes (IL-10, TNF-α, COX-2 and IFN-γ) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) using real-time PCR was also analyzed. Results suggest that LEG, despite not being able to improve blood markers indicative of liver function in hypercholesterolemic hamsters, reduced hepatic degenerative changes. Additionally, LPG did not show cytotoxicity in Vero cells. In relation to nanoLPG, the effects produced by heat stress evaluated by Dynamics Light Scattering (DLS) and visually were loss of color, texture change and phase separation after 15 days without interfering with the droplet size, so the formulation proved to be efficient in stabilizing the encapsulated lycopene. Although LPG and nanoLPG showed moderate toxicity to keratinocytes, which may be related to cell lineage characteristics, both revealed potent antioxidant activity. LPG and nanoLPG showed vasoprotective effects in aortic preparations. The gene expression assay indicates that, although no significant differences were observed in the expression of IL-10 and TNF-α, the PBMCs treated with nanoLPG showed a reduction in transcriptional levels of IFN-γ and an increased expression of COX-2. Thus, the work adds evidence to the safety of the use of lycopene by humans and shows that tested formulations, mainly nanoLPG due to its stability, stand out as promising and biosafe products for the treatment of diseases that have oxidative stress and inflammation in their etiopathology.

Exploring linker's sequence diversity to fuse carotene cyclase and hydroxylase for zeaxanthin biosynthesis

Fusion of catalytic domains can accelerate cascade reactions by bringing enzymes in close proximity. However, the design of a protein fusion and the choice of a linker are often challenging and lack of guidance. To determine the impact of linker parameters on fusion proteins, a library of linkers featuring various lengths, secondary structures, extensions and hydrophobicities was designed. Linkers were used to fuse the lycopene cyclase (crtY) and β-carotene hydroxylase (crtZ) from Pantoea ananatis to create fusion proteins to produce zeaxanthin. The fusion efficiency was assessed by comparing the carotenoids content in a carotenoid-producer Escherichia coli strain. It was shown that in addition to the orientation of the enzymes and the size of the linker, the first amino acid of the linker is also a key factor in determining the efficiency of a protein fusion. The wide range of sequence diversity in our linker library enables the fine tuning of protein fusion and this approach can be easily transferred to other enzyme couples.

Fruit-Carrot-Based Smoothies as Innovative Products with a Complex Matrix of Bioactive Compounds Effected on Activities of Selected Digestive Enzymes and Cholinesterases In Vitro

In this study, four different carrot varieties (purple, yellow, white, and orange) were used in the production of smoothies with raspberry, apple, pear, strawberry, and sour cherry juices. The in vitro inhibition effects against α- amylase, α- glucosidase, pancreatic lipase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase were measured, bioactive compounds, physicochemical characteristics, including sensorial features were described. The antioxidant activities of the studied samples were analyzed using the ORAC, ABTS, and FRAP methods. The raspberry-purple carrot smoothie showed the highest antioxidant activity against lipase and butyrylcholinesterase enzyme activity. The sour cherry-purple carrot smoothie showed the highest total soluble solids, total phenolic acid, total anthocyanins, and procyanidin contents; dry mass; and osmolality. Although the apple-white carrot smoothie achieved the highest acceptance after sensorial evaluation, it did not exhibit any potent biological activities. Thus, food products with purple carrot, raspberry, and sour cherry ingredients are suggested as functional and/or novel matrix compositions with high antioxidant potential.

Recent Progress on Carotenoids Production from Microalgae: A review

The color of fruits and green vegetables is attributed to a pigment known as carotenoids. On the basis of presence and absence of oxygen, carotenoids are divided into two categories; carotenes which do not contain oxygen and xanthophylls which are oxygen carrier. Carotenoids are not only good anti-oxidant agents; they also exhibit anti-tumor properties. The structure of carotenoids consists of eight isoprene units, which forms a chain consisting of conjugated double bonds. The presence of conjugated double bond in carotenoids neutralize free radicals by accepting electrons from them. Till now, most of the carotenoids commercially available are produced chemically however, microalgae are a good source of carotenoids. Microalgae can produce the carotenoids in abundance using two-stage cultivation strategies. In first phase, microalgae are given with optimal growth conditions for maximum production of biomass, on the other hand, keeping the second phase for the storage of lipids or carotenoids in unfavorable conditions. The production of carotenoids in two-stage approach is increased by many times than the conventional single phase cultivation method. Carotenoids have many industrial applications.

Spray-dried and freeze-dried protein-spinach particles; effect of drying technique and protein type on the bioaccessibility of carotenoids, chlorophylls, and phenolics

The effects of protein carrier and drying technique on the concentration and bioaccessibility of lipophilic compounds (lutein, β-carotene, chlorophylls a and b) and hydrophilic flavonoids in freeze-dried (FD) or spray-dried (SD) spinach juice and protein-spinach particles were investigated. Carotenoid and chlorophyll contents were highest in FD spinach juice without protein (147 and 1355 mg/100 g, respectively). For both SD and FD protein-spinach particles, SPI best protected carotenoids and chlorophylls (123 and 1160 mg/g, respectively), although the bioaccessibility of lipophilic compounds in WPI particles was higher than SPI particles (p < 0.05). For flavonoids, the drying technique was more important than the type of carrier, since FD particles had higher total flavonoids than SD. However, SD particles had higher bioaccessibility for most flavonoids (40-90 %) compared to FD (<20 %). The drying method and protein carrier can be designed to produce protein-spinach ingredients with desired concentration of compounds and bioaccessibility.

Colored wheat and derived products: key to global nutritional security

Ensuring food and nutritional security of fast-growing population will pose a huge challenge in future. An estimated one-half population who does not go hungry, nonetheless suffers the debilitating effects of unhealthy diets. In view of the nutritional awareness, when the major wheat breeding programs have started shifting to quality, instead of quantity in wheat, the colored wheats give a novel twist of targeting the malnutrition by enhancing the antioxidants such as anthocyanin, carotenoids, flavonoids, polyphenols etc. Moreover, changing consumer demands have picked the trend to prefer a nutritionally balanced diet over the conventional high energy diets and thus, colored wheat has opened up a hidden avenue for providing additional value to the wheat-based products. Besides providing nutrition, these pigments have the potential to replace the synthetic dyes and food colorants prevalent in the market. The review summarizes the genetics and biochemistry of the pigments of colored wheat along with their product development, nutritional status and consumer preference. The review also sheds light on the environmental effect on color accumulation and the effect of increased colorants on other quality traits of wheat.

In silico evaluation of food-derived carotenoids against SARS-CoV-2 drug targets: Crocin is a promising dietary supplement candidate for COVID-19

The current COVID‐19 pandemic is severely threatening public healthcare systems around the globe. Some supporting therapies such as remdesivir, favipiravir, and ivermectin are still under the process of a clinical trial, it is thus urgent to find alternative treatment and prevention options for SARS‐CoV‐2. In this regard, although many natural products have been tested and/or suggested for the treatment and prophylaxis of COVID‐19, carotenoids as an important class of natural products were underexplored. The dietary supplementation of some carotenoids was already suggested to be potentially effective in the treatment of COVID‐19 due to their strong antioxidant properties. In this study, we performed an in silico screening of common food‐derived carotenoids against druggable target proteins of SARS‐CoV‐2 including main protease, helicase, replication complex, spike protein and its mutants for the recent variants of concern, and ADP‐ribose phosphatase. Molecular docking results revealed that some of the carotenoids had low binding energies toward multiple receptors. Particularly, crocin had the strongest binding affinity (−10.5 kcal/mol) toward the replication complex of SARS‐CoV‐2 and indeed possessed quite low binding energy scores for other targets as well. The stability of crocin in the corresponding receptors was confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations. Our study, therefore, suggests that carotenoids, especially crocin, can be considered an effective alternative therapeutics and a dietary supplement candidate for the prophylaxis and treatment of SARS‐CoV‐2.

The Potential of Microextraction Techniques for the Analysis of Bioactive Compounds in Food

For a long time, the importance of sample preparation and extraction in the analytical performance of the most diverse methodologies have been neglected. Cumbersome techniques, involving high sample and solvent volumes have been gradually miniaturized from solid-phase and liquid-liquid extractions formats and microextractions approaches are becoming the standard in different fields of research. In this context, this review is devoted to the analysis of bioactive compounds in foods using different microextraction approaches reported in the literature since 2015. But microextraction also represents an opportunity to mitigate the environmental impact of organic solvents usage, as well as lab equipment. For this reason, in the recent literature, phenolics and alkaloids extraction from fruits, medicinal herbs, juices, and coffee using different miniaturized formats of solid-phase extraction and liquid-liquid microextraction are the most popular applications. However, more ambitious analytical limits are continuously being reported and emergent sorbents based on carbon nanotubes and magnetic nanoparticles will certainly contribute to this trend. Additionally, ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents constitute already the most recent forefront of innovation, substituting organic solvents and further improving the current microextraction approaches.

Antioxidant Properties of Pulp, Peel and Seeds of Phlegrean Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) at Different Stages of Fruit Ripening

In this work, we assess the potential of waste products of Phlegrean mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco), namely seeds and peel, to be reutilized as a source of bioactive compounds beneficial for the human diet. Starting from the evidence that the by-products of this specific cultivar are the most powerful sources of antioxidants compared to pulp, we have investigated if and how the bioactive compounds in peel and seeds may be affected by fruit ripening. Three stages of fruit ripening have been considered in our study: unripe fruits = UF, semi-ripe fruits = SRF, ripe fruits = RF. The overall results indicated that RF showed the highest concentration of antioxidants. Among fruit components, peel was the richest in total antioxidant capacity, total polyphenol content, total flavonoids, total chlorophylls and carotenoids, while seeds exhibited the highest concentration of total condensed tannins and ascorbic acid. The liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay indicates the occurrence, in peel extracts, of 28 phenolic compounds, mainly flavonoids (FLs); in seeds, 34 derivatives were present in the first stage (UF), which diminish to 24 during the ripening process. Our data indicated that the content of phytochemicals in citrus strongly varies among the fruit components and depends on the ripening stage. The higher antioxidant activity of peel and seeds, especially in RF, encourage a potential use of by-products of this specific citrus cultivar for industrial or pharmacological applications. However, to maximize the occurrence of desired bioactive compounds, it is important also to consider the ripening stage at which fruits must be collected.

Reuse of sea water reverse osmosis brine to produce Dunaliella salina based β-carotene as a valuable bioproduct: A circular bioeconomy perspective

Due to population growth and global warming, the use of the sea water reverse osmosis process to obtain freshwater is increasing rapidly. A sustainable method with low environmental impact is limited for the management of brine with a high salt content, which is released as a result of the process. Some microalgae species can grow in salty environments and produce β-carotene. This study aims to evaluate the commercial potential of β-carotene production from microalgae grown in sea water reverse osmosis brine from a bioeconomy perspective. Synthetic media are often used for the production of β-carotene from algae, the use of sea water reverse osmosis brine is not common and the commercial potential of this application has not been evaluated before. In terms of the development of the β-carotene market, the strengths and weaknesses of the process, opportunities, and threats are thoroughly examined in this report. Also, with the use of sea water reverse osmosis, a daily 750 tons of algal β-carotene can be produced. The biotechnological production of microalgal β-carotene and the reuse of salt water within the scope of circular bioeconomy are seen as a sustainable solution due to the fact that the strengths of the process are dominant, and the market value of natural β-carotene is increasing day by day.

Potential Importance of Molybdenum Priming to Metabolism and Nutritive Value of Canavalia spp. Sprouts

Molybdenum ions (Mo) can improve plants' nutritional value primarily by enhancing nitrogenous metabolism. In this study, the comparative effects of seed priming using Mo were evaluated among sproutings of Canavalia species/cultivars, including Canavalia ensiformis var. gladiata (CA1), Canavalia ensiformis var. truncata Ricker (CA2), and Canavalia gladiata var. alba Hisauc (CA3). Mo impacts on growth, metabolism (e.g., nitrogen and phenolic metabolism, pigment and total nutrient profiles), and biological activities were assayed. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to correlate Mo-mediated impacts. The results showed that Mo induced photosynthetic pigments that resulted in an improvement in growth and increased biomass. The N content was increased 0.3-fold in CA3 and 0.2-fold in CA1 and CA2. Enhanced nitrogen metabolism by Mo provided the precursors for amino acids, protein, and lipid biosynthesis. At the secondary metabolic level, phenolic metabolism-related precursors and enzyme activities were also differentially increased in Canavalia species/cultivars. The observed increase in metabolism resulted in the enhancement of the antioxidant (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) free radical scavenging, 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)) and antidiabetic potential (Glycemic index (GI) and inhibition activity of α-amylase, and α-glucosidase) of species. The antioxidant activity increased 20% in CA3, 14% in CA1, and 8% in CA2. Furthermore, PCA showed significant variations not only between Mo-treated and untreated samples but also among Canavalia species. Overall, this study indicated that the sprouts of Canavalia species have tremendous potential for commercial usage due to their high nutritive value, which can be enhanced further with Mo treatment to accomplish the demand for nutritious feed.

Vegetable oils as green solvents for carotenoid extraction from pumpkin (Cucurbita argyrosperma Huber) byproducts: Optimization of extraction parameters

Pumpkin pulp is the main waste generated by pumpkin seed growers. This agro-industrial waste is a valuable source of bioactive compounds, especially carotenoids (β-carotene, α-carotene, and lutein), which exhibit a broad spectrum of health-promoting effects. In this study, vegetable oils (canola, corn, and soybean oil) were used as green solvent alternatives to conventional organic solvents for carotenoid extraction from dried pumpkin pulp (DPP) waste. The highest carotenoid extraction yield (CEY) was obtained with canola oil, at a 1:10 DPP/oil ratio. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the extraction process parameters (temperature, time, and stirring rate) through a Box-Behnken design (BBD) maximizing CEY in canola oil. The extraction temperature and stirring rate were found to have a significant linear and quadratic effect, respectively, on CEY. Optimum conditions were achieved at 21.8 min, 250 rpm, and 60°C. Under these optimized conditions, the estimated value for CEY was 378.1 µg β-carotene equivalents/g of DPP, corresponding to 61.6% of the total carotenoid content present in the DPP. In contrast, the observed experimental value was 373.2 µg β-carotene equivalents/g of DPP (61.2%). The experimental value was very close to the estimated value, which verifies the model's adequacy and fit. This study shows an alternative method to extract carotenoids from DPP with canola oil, obtaining an oil naturally enriched with carotenoids that could be used as a potential functional ingredient in the development of food, cosmetics, and medicinal products. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Pumpkin by-products are a potential carotenoid source. Vegetable oil can be used as an alternative solvent for carotenoid extraction from pumpkin residues to obtain an enriched carotenoid oil that can be used to formulate food products.

MMP-9 and IL-1β as Targets for Diatoxanthin and Related Microalgal Pigments: Potential Chemopreventive and Photoprotective Agents

Photochemoprevention can be a valuable approach to counteract the damaging effects of environmental stressors (e.g., UV radiations) on the skin. Pigments are bioactive molecules, greatly attractive for biotechnological purposes, and with promising applications for human health. In this context, marine microalgae are a valuable alternative and eco-sustainable source of pigments that still need to be taken advantage of. In this study, a comparative in vitro photochemopreventive effects of twenty marine pigments on carcinogenic melanoma model cell B16F0 from UV-induced injury was setup. Pigment modulation of the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration and extracellular release of nitric oxide (NO) was investigated. At the cell signaling level, interleukin 1-β (IL-1β) and matrix metallopeptidase 9 protein (MMP-9) protein expression was examined. These processes are known to be involved in the signaling pathway, from UV stress to cancer induction. Diatoxanthin resulted the best performing pigment in lowering MMP-9 levels and was able to strongly lower IL-1β. This study highlights the pronounced bioactivity of the exclusively aquatic carotenoid diatoxanthin, among the others. It is suggested increasing research efforts on this molecule, emphasizing that a deeper integration of plant ecophysiological studies into a biotechnological context could improve the exploration and exploitation of bioactive natural products.

A new voltammetric approach for the determination of β-carotene in vegetables and pharmaceutical capsules using a gold electrode

Significant improvements in the voltammetric determination of β-carotene (BCA) have been achieved, mainly by the replacement of toxic dichloromethane with acetone and using non-mercury electrode. The respective procedure is based on anodic oxidation of BCA at a gold electrode in the disc configuration, when using square-wave voltammetry in pure acetone (99.8%) with 0.1 mol L^-1 LiClO₄ as the supporting electrolyte. The method comprises extraction of the analyte from the sample with acetone, thus avoiding the usually used highly toxic solvents. Analytically, it can be characterized by a linear range from 6.0 × 10^-6 to 5.9 × 10^-4 mol L^-1 with regression equation I_p^a = 0.0184c -0.1631 and correlation coefficient, R² = 0.9998, limits of detection and quantification LOD = 1.6 × 10^-6 mol L^-1 and LOQ = 5.4 × 10^-6 mol L^-1, respectively; both being obtained at a potential step of 5 mV, with the pulse amplitude of 25 mV, and a frequency of 80 Hz. After optimization, the method was evaluated in series of analyses; namely, with two samples of vegetables and two pharmaceutical preparations (capsules), when the results could be compared to those of a reference spectrophotometric method. Due to a simple instrumentation, including sample preparation, the voltammetric method for the determination of BCA can be recommended as a quick screening assay in food and pharmaceutical analysis.

Preparation of 9Z-β-Carotene and 9Z-β-Carotene High-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers: Characterization and Storage Stability

Cis (Z)-β-carotenes with 25.3% 9Z-β-carotene were prepared for nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). The optimal conditions for NLC preparation using an orthogonal experimental method were as follows: the total lipid concentration was 9% (w/v), the surfactant concentration was 1.4% (w/v), the solid to liquid lipid ratio was 3:1 (w/w), and the homogenization pressure was set at 500 bar for three cycles. Under these conditions, the encapsulation efficiency (%) of the NLC was 95.64%, and the total β-carotene in NLCs was 2.9 mg/mL, which was significantly higher than those reported by others. The proportion of total Z-β-carotenes was as high as 53.3%, the particle size was 191 ± 6.46 nm, and the polydispersity index was 0.2 ± 0.03. Storage stability results indicated that the β-carotene-loaded NLC stabilizes both 9Z-β-carotene and total β-carotene from leakage and degradation during 21 days of storage at pH 3.5-7.5 at low temperatures (4 °C), especially for the more bioactive 9Z-β-carotene. The technique with an improved ratio of 9Z-β-carotene, loading capacity, water solubility, and bioaccessibility of the β-carotene NLC provides an effective strategy for β-carotene applications in functional foods or beverages and in nutraceutical preparations.

Breathing New Life to Ancient Crops: Promoting the Ancient Philippine Grain "Kabog Millet" as an Alternative to Rice

Consumption of underutilised ancient crops has huge benefits for our society. It improves food security by diversifying our staple foods and makes our agriculture more adaptable to climate change. The Philippines has a rich biodiversity and many plant species used as staple foods are native to the Philippines. An example of ancient Philippine crops is the kabog millet, an ecotype of Panicum miliaceum. There is a dearth of information about its uses and properties; hence, in this study, the nutritional quality of kabog millet was evaluated. The total starch, % amylose, ash, dietary fibre, proteins, essential amino acid profile, phenolic acids, carotenoids, tocopherols, and the antioxidant properties of its total phenolic acid extracts were compared to four types of rice (white, brown, red, and black) and a reference millet, purchased from local Swiss supermarkets. Our analyses showed that kabog millet has higher total dietary fibre, total protein, total phenolic acids, tocopherols, and carotenoids content than white rice. It also performed well in antioxidant assays. Our results indicate that kabog millet is a good alternative to rice. It is hoped that the results of this study will encourage consumers and farmers to diversify their food palette and address food insecurity.

Canthaxanthin, a Red-Hot Carotenoid: Applications, Synthesis, and Biosynthetic Evolution

Carotenoids are a class of pigments with a biological role in light capture and antioxidant activities. High value ketocarotenoids, such as astaxanthin and canthaxanthin, are highly appealing for applications in human nutraceutical, cosmetic, and animal feed industries due to their color- and health-related properties. In this review, recent advances in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology towards the production of ketocarotenoids, in particular the red-orange canthaxanthin, are highlighted. Also reviewed and discussed are the properties of canthaxanthin, its natural producers, and various strategies for its chemical synthesis. We review the de novo synthesis of canthaxanthin and the functional β-carotene ketolase enzyme across organisms, supported by a protein-sequence-based phylogenetic analysis. Various possible modifications of the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway and the present sustainable cost-effective alternative platforms for ketocarotenoids biosynthesis are also discussed.

Utilization of brewery wastes in food industry

Beer is the most popular low-alcohol beverage consumed in large amounts in many countries each year. The brewing industry is an important global business with huge annual revenues. It is profitable and important for the economies of many countries around the world. The brewing process involves several steps, which lead to fermentation of sugars contained in malt and conversion thereof into alcohol and carbon dioxide by yeasts. Beer brewing generates substantial amounts of by-products. The three main brewing industry wastes include brewer's spent grain, hot trub, and residual brewer's yeast. Proper management of these wastes may bring economical benefits and help to protect the environment from pollution caused by their excessive accumulation. The disposal of these wastes is cumbersome for the producers, however they are suitable for reuse in the food industry. Given their composition, they can serve as a low-cost and highly nutritional source of feed and food additives. They also have a potential to be a cheap material for extraction of compounds valuable for the food industry and a component of media used in biotechnological processes aimed at production of compounds and enzymes relevant for the food industry.

Comparative Studies on Different Citrus Cultivars: A Revaluation of Waste Mandarin Components

Peel, pulp and seed extracts of three mandarin varieties, namely Phlegraean mandarin (Citrus reticulata), Kumquat (Citrus japonica), and Clementine (Citrus clementina) were compared and characterised in terms of photosynthetic pigment content, total polyphenols amount, antioxidant activity and vitamin C to assess the amount of functional compounds for each cultivar. The highest polyphenols content was found in the Phlegraean mandarin, especially in peel and seeds, whereas Kumquat exhibited the highest polyphenols amount in the pulp. The antioxidant activity was higher in the peel of Phlegraean mandarin and clementine compared to Kumquat, which showed the highest value in the pulp. The antioxidant activity peaked in the seeds of Phlegraean mandarin. The vitamin C in the Phlegraean mandarin was the highest in all parts of the fruit, especially in the seeds. Total chlorophyll content was comparable in the peel of different cultivars, in the pulp the highest amount was found in clementine, whereas kumquat seeds showed the greatest values. As regards total carotenoids, peel and pulp of clementine exhibited higher values than the other two cultivars, whereas the kumquat seeds were the richest in carotenoids. Among the analysed cultivars Phlegraean mandarin may be considered the most promising as a source of polyphenols and antioxidants, compared to the clementine and Kumquat, especially for the functional molecules found in the seeds. Moreover, regardless of cultivars this study also highlights important properties in the parts of the fruit generally considered wastes.

Health benefits of carotenoids and potential application in poultry industry: A review

Carotenoids are one of the widespread and ubiquitous lipid-soluble pigments that produce a wide range of colours which are universally found in various plants, microalgae, bacteria and fungi. Recently, interest in using carotenoids as feed ingredients has increased markedly owing to their bioactive and health-promoting properties. In terms of applications, carotenoid-rich products are widely available in the form of food and feed additive, supplements and natural colourants. Carotenoids play a versatile biological role that contributes to therapeutic effects, including anticancer, immunomodulators, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antidiabetic and neuroprotective. Dietary supplementation of carotenoids not only improves the production performance and health of poultry birds, but also enhances the quality of egg and meat. Several studies have suggested that the supplementation of plant derived carotenoids revealed numerous health-promoting activities in poultry birds. Carotenoids reduce the oxidative stress in pre-hatched and post-hatched birds through different mechanisms, including quench free radicals, activating antioxidant enzymes and inhibiting the signalling pathways. Use of carotenoids in poultry feed as a part of nutrient that confers bird health and improve product quality. Carotenoids play a critical role for the pigmentation of egg yolk, skin, legs, beak, comb, feather and fat. Birds consumed carotenoid deficient diet resulting hues of their egg yolk or pale coloured skin. Therefore, uniform pigmentation generally indicates the health status and quality of the poultry products. This review aims to gather recent information regarding bioactive properties of carotenoids and highlight pharmaceutical and health beneficial effects of carotenoids for the poultry industry. Additionally, it explores the importance of carotenoids as alternative feed ingredients for poultry to boost the production performance and replace synthetic medicine and nutrients.

Antioxidant activity, carotenoids, chlorophylls and mineral composition from leaves of Pallenis spinosa: an Algerian medicinal plant

Background

Plant and medicinal herbs are important sources of bioactive compounds and minerals that can play a role in preventing various diseases and they are considered a factor indispensable for the proper functioning of the human body.

Methods

We investigated the content of carotenoids and chlorophylls of leaves fromPallenis spinosa(P. spinosa), as well as their antioxidant activity and mineral composition then, we optimized the solvent extraction for the recovery of total carotenoids and chlorophylls using spectrophotometric method. Finally, we tested the antioxidant activity of the optimized extract by three assays (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP) and we determined the mineral composition by Emission Spectrometer Induced Couple Plasma (ICP).

Results

Carotenoid (CART), chlorophylls (CHLa + b), chlorophyll a (CHLA), chlorophyll b (CHLB) contents were about 36.337 ± 0.312; 347.769 ± 6.326; 224.286 ± 5.601; 123.483 ± 1.339 mg/100 g dw, respectively. We revealed an interesting antioxidant capacity by the tested extract (DPPH: 127.522 ± 1.406 mmol ET/Kgdw, ABTS: 104.827 ± 1.222 mmol ET/Kgdwand FRAP 71.89 ± 0.495 ± 0.994 mmol ET/Kgdw). Carotenoids and chlorophylls content correlate positively with the antioxidant activity ofP. spinosaleaves extract (r=0.646–0.986). Eight minerals have been detected (Mg, Ca, P, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and Cr), Mg and Ca being the predominant ones (6479.32 ± 48.33 and 3851.88 ± 130.63 mg/Kg, respectively).

Conclusions

These results have shown thatP. spinosaleaves are a good source of carotenoids and chlorophylls with a potent antioxidant potential with high amount of minerals.

Microencapsulation of β-Carotene by Spray Drying: Effect of Wall Material Concentration and Drying Inlet Temperature

Carotenoids are a class of natural pigments found mainly in fruits and vegetables. Among them, β-carotene is regarded the most potent precursor of vitamin A. However, it is susceptible to oxidation upon exposure to oxygen, light, and heat, which can result in loss of colour, antioxidant activity, and vitamin activity. Thus, the objective of this work was to study the microencapsulation process of β-carotene by spray drying, using arabic gum as wall material, to protect it against adverse environmental conditions. This was carried out using the response surface methodology coupled to a central composite rotatable design, evaluating simultaneously the effect of drying air inlet temperature (110-200°C) and the wall material concentration (5-35%) on the drying yield, encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, and antioxidant activity. In addition, morphology and particles size distribution were evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy images have shown that the particles were microcapsules with a smooth surface when produced at the higher drying temperatures tested, most of them having a diameter lower than 10 μm. The conditions that enabled obtaining simultaneously arabic gum microparticles with higher β-carotene content, higher encapsulation efficiency, and higher drying yield were a wall material concentration of 11.9% and a drying inlet temperature of 173°C. The systematic approach used for the study of β-carotene microencapsulation process by spray drying using arabic gum may be easily applied for other core and wall materials.

Expression of Carotenoid Biosynthetic Genes and Carotenoid Biosynthesis during Seedling Development of Momordica charantia

Carotenoids belong to a large group of secondary metabolites, and have pivotal roles in plants, including photosynthesis and phytohormone synthesis, pigmentation, and membrane stabilization. Additionally, carotenoids are potent antioxidants, and their health benefits are becoming increasingly prominent. In recent years, carotenoids have been studied in many plants. Furthermore, gene expression, as well as carotenoid accumulation in different parts of the bitter melon, has been investigated; however, it has not been studied in bitter melon seedlings. In this study, carotenoid accumulation and transcript levels of McGGPPS1, McGGPPS2, McPSY, McPDS, McZDS, McLCYB, McLCYE1, McLCYE2, McCXHB, and McZEP, involved in carotenoid biosynthesis, were analyzed during seedling development using HPLC and qRT-PCR. The major carotenoids that accumulated in the bitter melon seedlings were lutein and E-β-carotene. The expression of most carotenoid biosynthetic genes increased during seedling development, consistent with the accumulation of violaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, 13Z-β-carotene, E-β-carotene, and 9Z-β-carotene in bitter melon seedlings. The results of this study provide a firm basis for comprehending the link between gene expression and carotenoid concentration in bitter melon seedlings.

Carotenoids: From Plants to Food and Feed Industries

In this review, carotenoids from plants are described, and their natural existence is addressed. Carotenoids are 40-carbon isoprenoid molecules that produce the red, yellow, and orange pigmentation found in nature. Various plants, microalgae, bacteria, and fungi are natural sources of carotenoids and are presented in detail. The chemistry of carotenoids and their classification is also described along with the effect of carotenoids on human health which is explained with focus on lutein-zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, capsanthin, and lycopene. Clinical studies suggest that carotenoid consumption is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and eye disease. Finally, another issue discussed is the role of carotenoids in animals and their feed with focus on birds, fish and crustaceans, livestock, and poultry.

Physicochemical stability, antioxidant properties and bioaccessibility of β-carotene in orange oil-in-water beverage emulsions: influence of carrier oil types

The bioaccessibility of β-carotene in beverage emulsions was enhanced by modifying the lipid composition of the dispersed phase.

Development of a quantitative approach using Raman spectroscopy for carotenoids determination in processed sweet potato

The orange-fleshed sweet potato is a vegetable-rich in carotenoids. The thermic treatment for sweet potato processing can decrease the content of these constituents in the foods, lowering their bioactive properties. Raman spectroscopy has been growing as a fast tool to food analysis, especially for detection of low concentrations of carotenoids and to the monitoring of its degradation profile over time. Therefore, in this work were evaluated two methods of drying, hot air and microwaving with rotary drum, combined with quantitative Raman spectroscopy. The results showed carotenoids degradation around 50% for both types of drying processes studied. PCA plot proved the potential of reproducibility of analyses for microwave drying samples. For samples heated with hot air, the best linear correlation achieved was R² = 0.90 and by microwave was R² = 0.88. Also, partial least squares (PLS) regression models were constructed obtaining a satisfactory coefficient of determination.